The Best Stethoscope

There are quite a few different types of stethoscopes available today, which can make it difficult to determine which one is the right choice for you. Some of the most popular types of stethoscopes include pediatric stethoscopes, infant stethoscopes, nurse stethoscopes, lightweight stethoscopes, single head stethoscopes and dual head stethoscopes. Here's what you need to know about some of these popular stethoscopes and how to find the best stethoscope for you.

Infant and Pediatric Stethoscopes

An infant or pediatric stethoscope may be the best stethoscope for any healthcare practitioner that works in close proximity to infants or children. Pediatricians, midwives, childcare providers and nurse practitioners that work closely with small children and infants can take advantage of the angled, soft ear tips, smooth tubing and minuscule chest piece that characterize an infant or pediatric stethoscope. A few of the most popular infant and pediatric stethoscopes include the 3M Littmann Classic II Infant Stethoscope and MDF MD One Infant Stainless Steel Dual Head Stethoscope.

Lightweight Stethoscopes

A lightweight stethoscope may be the best stethoscope for you if you need to have it on hand throughout the day. A lightweight stethoscope is designed with a sleeker, lighter chest piece and non-invasive tubing to make it the ideal stethoscope for any person who is constantly using a stethoscope. Some of the best lightweight stethoscopes include the Lightweight Single Head Stethoscope and Omron Lightweight Dual Head Stethoscope Black.

Dual Head Stethoscopes

A dual head stethoscope is designed to have two versatile sides, each of which focus on different sound frequencies. The bell side (sometimes called the cup side) is usually used to listen to low-frequency lung sounds, while the flat side is used to listen to high-frequency heart sounds. Some of the best dual head stethoscopes include the MDF Dual Head Stethoscope and MDF Acoustica XP Dual Head Stethoscope.